You can find lists online of the natural & lab grown stones which work (many don’t). The clay shrinks around them. So far my experiments have worked fine (natural peridot, natural zircon, lab rubies & sapphires). There are different silver clays with different shrinkage rates, I’m pretty new to it & haven’t really looked into that aspect. I watched some of Pam East’s videos & took her advice. I’ll just use it for certain things, that I can’t do with the other silvers.
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Well, I went a different direction than everyone else. I usually don’t make jewelry for myself, but this year I gave myself I gorgeous Opal set in 18 kt that I made.
Bernie
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Oh fantastic! I’d love to see if you feel like sharing.
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Thanks for the suggestion. I have been worried about the speed for proper low-risk stone-setting.
I surprised myself with how much I splurged! I have been away from the bench for about a year, and now that I’m back I guess I got excited. I’m getting the GRS microblock xl, which will be my first proper vise ever. I’m looking forward to beginning with engraving and flush setting, and bezel setting much more easily. An optivisor and a couple gravers as well, of course. I’m tracking the UPS shipment closely.
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Ahhhh so exciting!! I hope it comes fast.
I’m curious what kind of stand/table you’ll use to hold it? I’m thinking about making a centering table thingy but who knows when.
Btw, in case you haven’t seen it - there’s some really nice approachable tutorials for graver sharpening on the instagram of the hazel.handengraving account.
I’m now doing a bunch of calligraphy work to improve that too 
it never ends
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Here is the one I couldn’t let go. This photograph doesn’t really capture the play of color very well. It has a lot of red in it, and I fell in love.
This one is just a phone pic before it was finished, but shows the play of color better
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Hi,
Wowza, congratulations on your new pendant! The colors are magical!
julie
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WOW! I bet it’s even better in person. That’s a gorgeous piece. Well done.
I had to get an oxy-propane torch to let me make a few presents 
This is one of them - photographed by my very kind wife
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You did need it. That’s a beautiful piece!
beautiful… merry christmas to yourself!
What are you going to make next … it’s Chinese New Year, year of the dragon…jadeite would be perfect…go for it!
I know this thread is old, but I had to let you know the matching manicure is such a cute idea. Looks great with that finish.